October 31, 2008

They’re not a pop-up books, but they’re movable and can “pop-up” anywhere. They’re Scott Wade’s dirty car artworks. Drawn into the dust and grime on car windows, these classic art images evolve with the weather, the elements, and the passage of time. See more of Scott’s ephemeral creations at his web site, www.dirtycarart.com.

A new film by Vanessa Gould called “Between the Folds” highlights 10 artists who left behind careers and graduate degrees to become paper artists. Attracted by the relationship between paperfolding, geometry, and the natural world, they work on the cusp of science and art. To preview short clips from the film, visit the 2008 Rhode Island International Film Festival site and click on the “Video” tab above the synopsis.

With Popular Kinetics based in Washington, D.C., national politics is our local news. So we were delighted to find an artist who has used the pop-up format (large-scale, no less) as commentary on the current election campaign. Kenneth Tin-kin Hung has designed two 8x8x8-foot pop-ups, one featuring John McCain and the other Barak Obama. The first is titled Residential Erection: Elephant List, the other Residential Erection: Ultra Donkey. To see more photos, go to the Archives, April-May 2008, at http://www.postmastersart.com

May 16, 2008

What is art? Critics have debated this question forever. Here is a funny yet thoughtful discussion of the subject, presented in claymation by a host of gregarious animal characters. Though they don’t answer the question definitively, they make some pertinent points.

April 19, 2008

We’re so impressed with Krisitne Suhr’s handsome web site, and with her wonderful mechanical paintings. Each framed painting has a pull tab, rotating wheel (called a volvelle) or other mechanical device which can be manipulated by the viewer. When activited, the image in the painting moves or transforms with surprising results. To see her paintings in action, visit Kristine’s web site.

Between classes this summer, I’m continuing to work on volume 2 of my workbook series, The Pocket Paper Engineer. The upcoming volume will demonstrate how to construct and glue pop-up props and platforms. It’s a big job. First I design the pop-up projects, then I photograph them and adjust the photos in Photoshop. Next I write and illustrate the step-by-step instructions, add more examples of finished illustrations, and test out the results. Since I’m also the publisher, I’ll be “on press” in China, checking color and positioning. I’m anticipating volume 2 to be out in the Spring of 2008.